In Case You Missed It - Top stories from the past week

Saturday

May 4, 2013 at 10:41 PM

Film industry tax credits and a drop in the jobless rate were in the news.

Here is a recap of some of the top stories in the StarNews from the past week:

RALEIGH | Film, television and commercial productions spent more than $275 million in North Carolina and employed about 14,000 people in 2012, according to state tax records.According to a film production tax credit report released last week, 30 productions looking to defray filming costs could collect nearly $70 million in tax credits from the state's general fund – thanks to North Carolina's film tax incentives.Under state law, production companies claim a 25-percent tax credit – up to $20 million – if they spend more than $250,000 on qualifying expenses.

WILMINGTON | The region's unemployment rate dropped in March compared with a year earlier, and Pender and Brunswick counties saw healthy improvements.The Wilmington area – comprising New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties – saw joblessness fall to 9.2 percent from 9.8 percent in March 2012.In Pender, the unemployment rate slid to 9.9 percent from 11.2 percent a year earlier. Brunswick also saw a significant drop, to 9.9 percent from 10.7 percent.

BOLIVIA | Brunswick County Manager Marty Lawing stepped down last week to take the top job in Guilford County.He will receive a base pay of $183,000 in Guilford, which is a raise from the roughly $176,000 he made in Southeastern North Carolina.Lawing was hired by Brunswick County in 2001 and is credited with helping substantially expand the county's water and sewer systems.

WILMINGTON | The New Hanover County Board of Education wants to settle its case with an assistant principal who was fired from the district in June.Tiffany Tobe-Williams, a former Ogden Elementary assistant principal, filed a petition against the board – including for back pay – when it voted not to renew her contract after the 2011-12 school year.The district appealed, but several courts have ruled for Tobe-Williams.

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH | After spending several years docking in downtown Wilmington, the American Glory, operated by American Cruise Lines, ">docked at the Bridge Tender Marina next to the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge on Monday.In the past, the ships traveled up the Cape Fear River to dock in downtown Wilmington, But from Snow's Cut, a ship would have to travel roughly 15 miles north up the Cape Fear River to reach downtown Wilmington.